Staten Island Advance/Michael OatesDanielle Johnsen is led into criminal court in this 2011 photo.

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A Catholic high school teacher who, prosecutors alleged, sexually abused a 16-year-old female student during off-campus trysts last year, has cut a plea deal to a reduced charge that will spare her jail.

But after pleading guilty to one count of attempted endangering the welfare of a child, Danielle Johnsen lashed out at her accusers and those who have scorned her.

"These outrageous, false sexual-abuse allegations made about me have caused nothing but mental distress and damage, to not only me, but to my daughter, and my entire family for nearly a year now," she said in a statement today to the Advance. "I made the decision to plead guilty to the most benign charge, because my family and I have had to deal with constant embarrassment, harassment and anxiety due to these unfounded sexual allegations. We all needed to find closure from this heartbreaking event in order to heal and move on."

"In addition to this, because of the 'one-sided' coverage of the allegations, I was too fearful to run the risk of being found guilty of crimes that I didn't commit, and in turn, losing the ability to parent my daughter. Regardless of public opinion, I do, and will continue to, maintain my innocence regarding the sexual accusations against me," said Ms. Johnsen, 30, who thanked her family, friends and lawyer for standing by her.

Her attorney, Leo Duval, said Ms. Johnsen did not admit to "anything of a sexual or physical nature" in entering her plea today in Stapleton Criminal Court.

The 30-year-old Notre Dame Academy science teacher was accused of inappropriately touching and kissing the girl last year.

In exchange for her misdemeanor plea, she was sentenced to a one-year conditional discharge and must perform 15 days of community service, said a spokesman for District Attorney Daniel Donovan. She also was ordered to keep away from the teen.

Chief Assistant District Attorney Daniel L. Master Jr. said the plea agreement "was reached in consultation with the victim and her family."

Legal sources said Ms. Johnsen, who had no prior criminal record, would not likely have been sentenced to jail even if convicted of the top charge of endangering a child's welfare. That misdemeanor count carries a one-year maximum sentence on a trial conviction. Attempted endangering is the lowest misdemeanor classification.

According to court documents, the alleged incidents occurred three separate times last year. Ms. Johnsen "repeatedly" kissed the girl on the lips and touched her once inappropriately beneath her clothing, said court papers.

The alleged touching incident took place on March 13 of last year while the girl and Ms. Johnsen were watching a movie in the teacher's Port Richmond home, according to court records and a law enforcement source.

Ms. Johnsen and the girl also kissed on the lips on Feb. 16 and March 2, 2011, while the two were together, prosecutors contend.

In a separate civil lawsuit, the teen alleges Ms. Johnsen "repeatedly" told her, "I love you," and texted her "vulgar and sexually seductive and suggestive messages" along with "provocative and nude-picture messages" on "numerous occasions."

The suit, filed last month in state Supreme Court, St. George, against Ms. Johnsen, Notre Dame and the Archdiocese of New York, recently settled "to the [victim's] family's satisfaction," said their attorney, Jonathan D'Agostino of Eltingville. Citing a confidentiality agreement, D'Agostino said he couldn't provide details.

Duval, Ms. Johnsen's lawyer, said his client did not admit to any wrongdoing in the civil suit and was covered by the settlement.

"I continue to be suspicious of the motivations of these people," said Duval. "And I'm not surprised at all to hear that there's been a quick, financial settlement coincidental to their agreement to resolve the criminal case."

An archdiocese spokeswoman did not return a telephone call today seeking comment on the settlement.

The girl still attends Notre Dame, a private, Catholic academy on Grymes Hill for girls from grades pre-kindergarten through 12.

Sister Patricia Corley, Notre Dame's president, told the Advance last month that Ms. Johnsen was placed on administrative leave after the allegations came to light on June 6. At that time, she remained on leave and was prohibited from entering the school or contacting any student.

Sister Patricia did not immediately return telephone calls today.

According to a source, some of the girl's friends alerted a guidance counselor that the teen had become distraught after Ms. Johnsen ended their relationship. The teen's court papers say the girl had put a "disturbing post" on the Internet.

Sister Patricia said administrators immediately notified authorities, and the school cooperated fully with their probe.

In a letter dated June 8, students' parents were advised that the school two days earlier had "suspicions of an inappropriate relationship" involving a high-school teacher and student.